• Michigan lawmakers are considering requiring teacher candidates to complete ‘science of reading’ training before getting a teaching license 
  • A related effort focuses on training current teachers
  • Literacy has become a hot-button issue among lawmakers, the Michigan Department of Education and the governor’s office

LANSING — In another effort to boost student literacy skills, Michigan lawmakers are considering requiring college students to learn about the “science of reading” before getting a state teaching certificate. 

Under House Bill 5646, teacher candidates and the Michigan Department of Education would face new restrictions starting Sept. 30, 2027.

It’s part of a broader effort to address low student achievement: Third-grade reading scores are at a new low on state tests and just 24% of fourth graders are proficient on a national test.

“A teacher certificate is not a participation trophy, it is a guarantee to the parents of Michigan that this individual can actually teach their child…to read,” said bill sponsor State Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw. 

“HB5646 isn’t just a policy update, it’s a long overdue rescue mission for the next generation of Michigan’s workers, citizens and leaders,” said Kelly, “We have a moral and economic obligation to ensure that every cent of taxpayer money going into teacher preparation produces an educator who is a master of the science of reading.”

Michigan teachers are trained through traditional college and university preparation programs and “alternative route” programs hosted by nonprofits and other groups.

Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities, told Bridge he is still gathering feedback from college education preparation programs and that he hopes any law would ultimately “add value to the literacy improvement agenda” of the state. 

These bills come after the Legislature passed two laws in 2024 aimed at tackling literacy deficiencies in Michigan. One law requires school districts, starting in the 2027-2028 school year, to screen students for traits of dyslexia, teach reading in evidence-based ways and ensure teachers are trained in how students learn to read.

Under the other law, Michigan can revoke state approval of training programs if they fail to instruct teacher candidates about “the characteristics of dyslexia and underlying factors that place pupils at risk for difficulties in learning to decode accurately and efficiently,” among other things. That requirement goes into effect Sept. 30, 2027.

State Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, told Bridge, he is not sure how Kelly’s proposal is different from the existing law, but “it’s really welcome news that he’s pushing for this because that gives me hope that the House Republicans, and Rep. Kelly at least, will be on my side to fund this in the budget.”

Last year, the House Republicans passed a budget proposal that did not include grant funding for the training. At the time Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said the proposal was an attempt to take a possible government shutdown off the negotiating table. 

A spokesperson for Hall did not immediately respond to a request for comment on if Hall supports the literacy bills discussed Wednesday. 

If these bills pass, state Rep. Nancy DeBoer, R-Holland, predicts teacher candidates will “graduate as teachers knowing how to teach reading correctly to the students. So they won’t start with a wrong system and have to unlearn that and get the science of reading later.”

Here is what to know about Michigan’s current and potential literacy efforts.


1. There is bipartisan support for more teacher training 

A separate bill would mandate current K-5 teachers to complete a specific literacy training by the 2031-2032 school year. 

Lawmakers discussed that bill at length last week. The bill does not directly name the Lexia LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) course but it was referenced repeatedly in testimony. 

Michigan has already put $44 million toward teachers taking the LETRS course. It’s a time-intensive program, and teachers report learning content they had not encountered in prior training programs.

House Bill 5697 would mandate the training. There remains concerns about if and how the state can compensate teachers for the extra time it would take to complete the course. DeBoer said Wednesday there’s the potential for teachers to earn professional development credits, get credit toward master’s programs and possibly lower other professional development requirements temporarily.

Michigan is not alone in trying to address low reading scores. Other states have encouraged or mandated LETRS training and the majority have made changes to reading policies. 

Education Week reports that 40 states and Washington, DC, have passed laws or policies related to teaching reading in an evidence-based way since 2013.

Congressional lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would require recipients of federal literacy funds to teach phonics and other skills, The 74 reports. 


2.  The state is making a big push for districts to adopt proven reading curricula

State funding is available to districts to adopt vetted curriculum. But it takes time for districts to purchase a curriculum, train teachers on the new materials and then have widespread rollout of the programs. 

By the 2027-2028 school year, districts will be required to teach students in evidence-based ways. 

The state budget also requires that local districts notify parents if they are not using an evidence-based curriculum or one that is not aligned with state standards.  

3. A lot is still up in the air

The House Education and Workforce Committee has held testimony on the proposed requirements for current and future teachers but not yet held a vote. If the bills pass the House, they would still need to be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor before becoming law. 

It’s also possible that these efforts become embedded in a state education budget negotiated by the House, Senate and governor.

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